Sanjay Leela Bhansali

Sanjay Navin Bhansali (born 24 February 1963), known professionally as Sanjay Leela Bhansali, is an Indian filmmaker and music composer, who works in Hindi cinema. He is the recipient of several awards, including seven National Film Awards and thirteen Filmfare Awards, in addition to a BAFTA Award nomination. In 2015, the Government of India honoured him with the Padma Shri, the fourth-highest civilian award. Bhansali is best known for his use of aesthetics and musical vision, particularly in period dramas. Bhansali made his directorial debut with the romantic musical Khamoshi: The Musical (1996). He gained both mainstream and critical success with the romantic dramas Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999) and Devdas (2002), the latter of which won the National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment, and was nominated for the BAFTA Award for Best Film Not in the English Language. He won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi for directing the drama Black (2005). His subsequent releases Saawariya (2007) and Guzaarish (2010) were box-office flops. The latter film marked his debut as a music composer. He also began producing under his banner Bhansali Productions. Bhansali reinforced his status with the romantic tragedy Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela (2013), and top-grossing period dramas Bajirao Mastani (2015) and Padmaavat (2018). He won the National Film Award for Best Direction for Bajirao Mastani and the National Film Award for Best Music Direction for Padmaavat. He has since directed the biopic Gangubai Kathiawadi (2022), winning further National and Filmfare Awards. In 2024, Bhansali launched his own music label, named Bhansali Music, and went on to create and direct the period drama series Heeramandi.